CANADIAN ROLLER SPORT TEAM NOMINATED FOR TORONTO 2015 PAN AM GAMES

TORONTO (June 7, 2015) On Sunday, the Canadian Olympic Committee (COC) and Roller Sports Canada announced the roller speed skating and figure skating athletes nominated to represent Team Canada at the TORONTO 2015 Pan American Games from July 10 to 26.

5 athletes have been selected to compete in the roller sports competition, 4 in roller speed: Jordan Belchos; Morgane Echardour; Christopher Fiola and Valérie Maltais and one in roller figure: Kailah Macri.

Leading the speed skating team will be two-time Olympian and Sochi 2014 silver medallist in short track speed skating, Valérie Maltais while the lone member of the figure skating team will be Kailah Macri.

Roller speed skating competitors wear four-wheeled skates in which the wheels are aligned in a single row. All races begin from a standing start. Skaters are not permitted to block, push, hold or otherwise hinder the progress of an opponent. Having held its first world championships in 1938, roller speed skating made its Pan American Games debut in 1979 and has been on the program at every Games since then with the exception of 1983.

Roller figure skaters compete in traditional four-wheel skates aligned in pairs at the toe and heel. Just as in ice figure skating, competitors are judged on choreographed routines set to music that incorporate jumps, spins, footwork and other dance-like elements.

Having held world championships since 1947, roller figure skating made its Pan American Games debut in 1979. After an absence in 1983, it has been on the program of every Games since then.

The speed skating competition will take place July 12 – 13 at the Pan Am Aquatics Centre while the figure skating competition will take place at the Exhibition Centre July 11–12. the speed skating events include: women’s 200m time trial; women’s 500m; women’s 10,000m points; men’s 200m time trial; men’s 500m; and men’s 10,000m points. Events in figure skating include: women’s free skating, men’s free skating.

Canada will field the largest team in its Pan American Games history with more than 700 athletes expected to be named to the Team at the Games in Toronto. With TORONTO 2015 providing a “home Games” experience, as well as a number of qualification opportunities for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, these Games will offer a tremendous experience for Canada’s high performance athletes.

QUOTES

“Roller Sports Canada have fielded a strong squad of skaters who I know will make their country proud in Toronto this summer. Congratulations to the athletes who made it on to the team, Canada will be behind you every step of the way on your Pan Am journey.”

“Congratulations to the athletes who are part of the Pan Am roller figure skating and speed skating teams for TORONTO 2015. We are all excited to see you compete against the best in your discipline and demonstrate your skill to the world. Good luck in your preparations and see you in Toronto soon.”

“It’s fantastic to see roller sports is receiving more attention and that is partly thanks to our Olympic athletes who have lent their profile and helped draw attention to it. We have a strong team going into the Games and I know our athletes are going to give their everything to show the Americas what Canada is made of.”

Mike Murray, Speed Coach

“My teammates and I have been working so hard to get to this point and to know that we will represent Canada on home soil at an international event of this calibre is an honour. Thank you to everyone who helped us get to this point, we will do everything we can to make you proud this summer.”

Valérie Maltais, two-time Olympian, Sochi 2014 silver medallist

“My sincere congratulations to the athletes named today to Canada’s roller sports team for the TORONTO 2015 Pan Am Games. These athletes are an enormous source of pride for Canadians, and we look forward to cheering them on as they push for the podium here at home during the Year of Sport in Canada.”

The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport)

The roller sports contingent which will represent Canada at the TORONTO 2015 Games includes:

Athletes:

First

Last

Hometown

Jordan

Belchos

Scarborough, ON

Morgane

Echardour

Mississauga, ON

Christopher

Fiola

Montreal, QC

Kailah

Macri

Whitby, ON

Valerie

Maltais

Saguenay, QC

Coaching Staff:

Position

First

Last

Hometown

Roller Figure Coach

Eduardo

Gravina

Brasilia, Brazil

Roller Speed Coach

Michael

Murray

Moncton, NB

Prior to being named to the final Canadian Pan American Team, all nominations are subject to approval by the Canadian Olympic Committee’s Team Selection Committee following its receipt of nominations by all National Sport Federations towards the end of June 2015.